title: Evaluation of photopatch test allergens for Indian patients of photodermatitis: preliminary results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a strong need to develop a photopatch test tray suitable for Indian patients of photodermatitis as European/Scandinavian photopatch test trays may not be wholly relevant for them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We carried out this study using photoallergens relevant in the Indian context to determine their relevance in patients of photodermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients (M:F, 23:7) between 19 and 76 years of age of photodermatitis and 10 controls were patch- and photopatch tested with 20 common photoallergens. In addition, the patients were also (photo) patch tested with articles of daily use as and when these were suspected to be the cause.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three positive reactions to one or more antigens were seen in 22 (74%) patients. Fourteen positive photopatch tests to seven allergens were observed in 10 (33%) patients, and nine (30%) of them had a definite relevance. The most common contact allergen was fragrance mix (FM) (30%), followed by p-phenylenediamine (20%) and Parthenium hysterophorous (17%). The definite relevance of the patch- and photopatch tests could be correlated in 47% of these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FM is the most common contact and photocontact allergen among the various photopatch test antigens. Although differences in technique and evaluation make direct comparison between different centers difficult, still photopatch testing remains an integral part and gold standard for the work-up of the photosensitive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, India.
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.forename: Nand Lal
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Vikram Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: Vinay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shanker
authors.forename: Gita Ram
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Tegta
authors.forename: Ghanshyam Kumar
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017454:Dermatitis, Photoallergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens